May 8th, 2021 - Pika The Thunderthief

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and craft beer freaks!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here today pairing  "The Thunderthief", the 2nd solo album by Led Zeppelin alum John Paul Jones and a nutty and delicious Pika Peanut Butter Milk Stout from Sawtooth Brewery that my friend Brett brought me!   Cheers buddy... thanks again for the beers!

Album Info: 

• Artist: John Paul Jones
• Title: "The Thunderthief"
• Recorded: 2001
• Release date: June 15th, 2001 (2nd full-length solo studio album by John Paul Jones)
• Record company: Discipline Global Mobile
• Production: John Paul Jones
• Album cover art: 
• Personnel: John Paul Jones (vocals, 12-string bass guitars, bass steel guitar, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, electric mandolin, piano, organ, synthesizers, Kyma, koto, autoharp, ukulele and, harmonica) 
• Additional musicians: Nick Beggs (Chapman Stick on "Shibuya Bop" and "Leafy Meadows"), Adam Bomb (guitar solo on "Angry Angry"), Terl Bryant (drums, percussion, and toforan), and Robert Fripp (guitar solo on "Leafy Meadows")
• Musical style: Progressive rock with elements of hard rock, punk rock, folk music, world music, art rock
• Sound: Blending multiple styles of music, the sound on "The Thunderthief" is a compelling and amazing sonic journey.  Jones' bass, guitar, and mandolin work is intricate, yet it grooves wonderfully.  While his keys work is more subtle, it still builds the sonic wall of the album's sound, reminiscent of his keyboard work on later Zeppelin albums.  The inclusion of Nick Beggs and Robert Fripp is a very welcome added bonus as well!
• Major themes: Life, love, anger, ice fishing, freedom, etc.
• Tracks: 
1. "Leafy Meadows" 
2. "The Thunderthief"
3. "Hoediddle"
4. "Ice Fishing At Night"
5. "Daphne"
6. "Angry Angry"
7. "Down to the River to Pray" (traditional, arranged by Jones)
8. "Shibuya Bop"
9. "Freedom Song"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Sawtooth Brewery (Idaho)
• Website: https://sawtoothbrewery.com/ 
• Brew: Pika Peanut Butter Milk Stout 
• Style: Milk Stout
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 30
• Ingredients: Idaho Malted 2-Row Barley, French Chocolate Malt, Roasted Barley, Chinook hops, House Ale yeast, lactose, and peanut butter extract 
• Pour: The Pika pours a deep, dark brown (almost ink black) with firm and creamy, 1-finger, light mocha head with great retention and lots of sticky and intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is nutty, chocolatey, roasty, and malty.  There are aromas of roasted peanuts, milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malts, a hint of espresso, vanilla bean, fresh cream, light marshmallow, and soft caramel.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of Pika is a blend of  flavors.  There are notes of creamy peanut butter, roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, chocolate milk, cocoa, vanilla, and soft, buttery caramel/burnt toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with low carbonation, the mouthfeel is velvety smooth and creamy with a dry, sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The Sawtooth Pika Peanut Butter Milk Stout is a deliciously rich and creamy brew... great for the intricate grooves and interesting time signatures of the wonderfully rich and warm tracks on the very underrated "The Thunderthief"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!